Barry Messer Obituary
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Barry P. Messer 71, died September 16, 2025 at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, NH with his family at his side. He was born December 31, 1953 in Springfield, Vermont the son of Leon and Muriel (Godsill) Messer. He attended Springfield Schools, graduating from Springfield High School class of 1971.
He married Debra Woods September 2nd 1978 after being together for 7 years.
Barry was employed as a machinist at area shops for many years, and later owned and operated a local Auto Parts Store and Automotive Machine Shop. He raced at the Claremont Speedway and other local tracks for 21 years and had over 35 years working in the racing industry building engines and cars.
He enjoyed NASCAR, collecting classic cars, hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. He enjoyed hunting with his granddaughters on youth weekend in Vt. He was a member of the Hawks Mountain Ridge Riders snowmobile club, and enjoyed grooming trails for the club. He was also assistant trail coordinator for VAST in Windsor County.
He is survived by his wife Debra, children Kelly (Duane) English, Jeff (Carly) Messer, siblings; Robert (Leslie) and Jane Guerin. Granddaughters; Kayla and Emily, Father -in- law Chip Woods, brother- in- law Mike (Debbie) Woods and by several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents, mother-in-law Sookie Woods, brother-in-law Albert Guerin, and sister-in-law Cathy Messer.
A celebration of life service will be held in the Spring of 2026 and announced at that time.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative & Hospice Care in Lebanon NH.
Davis Memorial Chapel is assisting with arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
Andy Hofmann
Earlier today
Sending my condolences to all of Barry's family during this difficult time, also to Barry's very close group of friends, i am sure this has been a difficult time for them as well.
Trips to Carlisle and other car related events he will be missed but surely never forgotten, I think he truly enjoyed socializing with anyone with interest in cars, his knowledge was very deep especially with corvettes, I think he had spent a lot of time under them in his younger years replacing parts he had over horsepowered!
We always had a positive interaction when I would see him, and he always would stop and talk shop with me at any swap meets car shows etc.
It meant something to me that I had gained his respect for machining and building a competitive racing engine at a young age years ago
I wish he had gotten more time to enjoy his retirement and enjoy his family, he was cheated of that time, truly unfair.
Sinc.
Andy Hofmann
Claremont NH
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